When we think of cold fronts we immediately conjure up a number of facts relevant to our flight planning—that they can be angry, fast-moving (say, 50-plus mph across the ground), and violent, packed with severe thunderstorms and the worst turbulence.

The low-time pilot was trapped above the clouds, with bad weather for hundreds of miles. He had no autopilot, no GPS, and was not talking to ATC. Fortunately, an air traffic controller spotted him and took action.

Even late-winter presents a number of unique challenges to the aircraft’s systems, and it pays to take the time to do what you can to protect your aircraft (and yourself) while we’re still in winter’s grip.

The engine heater and a small cabin heater have been keeping the aircraft warm and ready to go for almost two weeks. Heresy, you say? Leaving a preheater on for this long will corrode the engine, you say? Not necessarily.